Powerful Florence still churning toward NC coast

StarNews Staff

Monday

Sep 10, 2018 at 8:00 AMSep 12, 2018 at 1:22 PM

Strengthening Category 4 hurricane poses major threat to all of Eastern NC

11 p.m. update -- Still marching toward NC coast

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. -- Hurricane Florence, a dangerous Category 4 hurricane, continued it's slow slog toward the N.C. coast late Monday, with forecasters expecting the storm to strengthen even more before likely weakening before landfall.

As of 11 p.m., the National Hurricane Center said the storm was about 1,085 miles east-southeast of Bald Head Island. Florence was moving west-northwest at 13 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.

Storm Surge and hurricane watches are likely be issued for the Carolina coast -- including Southeastern N.C. -- on Tuesday. Warnings about dangerous rip currents and surf kicked up by Florence have already been issued for all Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender beaches.

The hurricane center's 11 p.m. forecast did show that Florence's projected path had wobbled slightly northward, but the Cape Fear area remained firmly in the storm's "cone of uncertainty."

>>READ MORE: Click here for complete coverage of Hurricane Florence.

8 p.m. update -- New Hanover under coastal flood advisory

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. -- The National Weather Service has placed parts of New Hanover County under a coastal flood advisory through midnight.

The flood advisory applies to downtown Wilmington and the lower Cape Fear River. For one hour on either side of high tide tonight -- 11 p.m. -- minor coastal flooding is expected on both sides of the river in downtown and on River Road. The office warned of water ponding on Battleship Road near the U.S.S. North Carolina.

A rip current statement is also in effect from 7 a.m. Tuesday through Tuesday evening for all beaches in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties. Hurricane Florence's offshore winds are causing swells and rip currents up and down the coast.

The National Hurricane Center's next update on Hurricane Florence is scheduled for 11 p.m.

5 p.m. update -- Hurricane watches expected Tuesday

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. -- The National Hurricane Center announced at 5 p.m. Monday it could begin issuing hurricane and storm surge watches as soon as Tuesday morning.

As of Monday evening, Hurricane Florence was moving west-northwest at 13 mph. The storm was located roughly 1,170 miles east-southeast of the Cape Fear region, and remained a dangerous Category 4 storm.

A forecast from the hurricane center projected that Florence will pick up speed in the coming days.

"A turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur late Wednesday night," the 5 p.m. update stated. "On the forecast track, the center of Florence will move over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Bahamas Tuesday and Wednesday, and approach the coast of South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday."

Florence is expected to strengthen further. As of 5 p.m., hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the storm's center, while tropical storm-force winds extend out 150 miles.

2:15 p.m. update -- Rip currents at local beaches

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. -- The National Hurricane Center's next update on Hurricane Florence won't be posted until 5 p.m., but the National Weather Services's Wilmington office is reminding people to stay cautious at local beaches.

A rip current statement is in effect for all beaches in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties. The statement is in effect until 8 p.m. tonight, but will likely be replaced by update statements over the next few days.

While the surf height at local beaches is estimated at just 3 feet Monday, the risk for life-threatening rip currents in the surf zone remains high. Spots with the highest risk for rip current formation are breaks in sandbars and near structures like terminal groins, jetties and piers, but beachgoers should stay on alert everywhere.

The National Weather Service has also forecasted heavy swells from Surf City north along the coast.

12:15 p.m. update -- Storm strengthens

WILMINGTON -- Hurricane Florence is now a Category 4 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. A "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft recorded maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

As of noon Tuesday, the storm was about 1,230 miles southeast of the Cape Fear region, according to the National Weather Service. It was moving west at about 13 miles per hour.

Steve Pfaff, a warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Wilmington office, warned impacts could include storm surge and wind damage, although the storm's path remains uncertain at this time.

"It's too early at this point to be precise with how these impacts are going to stack up," he said, "but there is a huge potential someone is going to sustain devastating impacts as a result of this storm."

11 a.m. update: Florence strengthens to a Category 3 hurricane

WILMINGTON -- Hurricane Florence has strengthened into a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 115 mph, according to the 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.

The center of the strong storm is about 1,240 miles east-southeast of Bald Head Island, with the hurricane moving westward at roughly 13 mph.

The hurricane center said the storm is expected to strengthen and speed up as it approaches the Carolina coast in the coming days.

Southeastern North Carolina remains in the middle of the storm's "cone of uncertainty," with the cone extending from roughly Hilton Head, S.C., in the south to the Chesapeake Bay in the north. The forecast continues to call for Florence to slam ashore as a major -- Category 3 or stronger -- storm before weakening slightly, but still as hurricane, as it heads inland.

"This is going to be big," said Victoria Oliva, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington said early Monday morning. "Everyone should start preparing now. If you end up not needing (hurricane supplies), great, but now is the time to start preparing."

As of early Monday, the storm was getting stronger, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

"Florence is rapidly strengthening this morning," the National Hurricane Center advisory said.

Oliva said various models have the storm's eye making landfall anywhere between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks. That means, she said, that the Wilmington region is going to be affected by what she said is going to be a major hurricane that could reach category 4 strength, which means maximum sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph.

"The chances of it going out to sea are extremely slim at this point," she said. Its projected landfall is "still fluctuating depending on which models you look at. We just happen to be right in the middle."

8 a.m. update: Wilmington still in Hurricane Florence's bull's-eye

WILMINGTON -- Hurricane Florence's track takes dead aim at the Wilmington region, with landfall expected early Friday, according to an advisory posted by the National Hurricane Center Monday morning.

"This is going to be big," said Victoria Oliva, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington. "Everyone should start preparing now. If you end up not needing (hurricane supplies), great, but now is the time to start preparing."

As of early Monday, the storm was getting stronger, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

"Florence is rapidly strengthening this morning," the National Hurricane Center advisory said.

Oliva said various models have the storm's eye making landfall anywhere between Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks. That means, she said, that the Wilmington region is going to be affected by what she said is going to be a major hurricane that could reach category 4 strength, which means maximum sustained winds of 130 to 156 mph.

"The chances of it going out to sea are extremely slim at this point," she said. Its projected landfall is "still fluctuating depending on which models you look at. We just happen to be right in the middle."

The National Weather Service advised people to put together a hurricane emergency kit that "will contain one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand cranked radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation, and a charged backup battery for your cell phone."

A National Hurricane Center model showed the Wilmington region being socked with high winds and rain Thursday night and Friday morning.

"There is an increasing risk of life-threatening impacts from Florence: storm surge at the coast, freshwater flooding from a prolonged and exceptionally heavy rainfall inland and damaging hurricane-force winds," a 5 a.m. advisory said.

Some officials have already begun taking early precautions. Gov. Roy Cooper declared North Carolina under a state of emergency last Friday. The University of North Carolina Wilmington announced it has canceled classes and issued a voluntary evacuation for students starting at noon today.

Reporter Tim Buckland can be reached at 910-343-2217 or Tim.Buckland@StarNewsOnline.com.

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